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Thursday, May 17, 2007

We're Looking for the Ten Best Reasons!

And if you can give us one of them, we'll enter you to win our fourth and final contest in celebration of National Independent Bookseller's Month. (Or, NIBM, as those in the know call it.)

We're going to create a list of "The Ten Best Reasons to Shop your Independent Bookstores." And, we need your input! Send us your entry(s) and you'll have a chance to be entered into our raffle for the $25.00 Booksense.com gift certificate.

And, don't forget! You can also get entered into this raffle by--

1. Spreading the word about May being NIBM on your blog, or forwarding our link to another list serve that you're on. Just send us the URL and you're IN.

2. Visiting your local indie this month and giving them a big thank you for the stellar work they do supporting reading and literature. Send us your bookseller's name, and the name of the book or magazine your bought. We'll put you right in the magic raffle box.

And, if you missed Robin's post on Monday, do not pass GO until you check it out. She'll tell you all about how you can nominate your most beloved bookseller for blog fame and a Dinner for Two gift certificate at their favorite restaurant. And, just for nominating the winner, you'll receive one of our very cool Shrinking Violet mugs that are just in! It is certain to become the "IT" accessory of the year.

An independent bookseller does not carry Madonna's latest effort, nor the one by Terrell Owens, nor any other poorly written book (even if it ends up on bestseller lists. An independent bookseller has principles and really good books on the shelves.

The independents don't have tons of candy at the front counter to tempt you while you are waiting. (Okay, maybe that's just my personal issue!) The indies assume you have higher order tastes in life. They'd be wrong, but I like the assumption.

1. They have used books for sale as well, intershelved with the new (I like bargins).

2. When my children and I go to the independent book store, we are going for Books, not for a have a snack in the cafe-play with Thomas the wretched tank engine toys-run around on toy stage extravaganza. It is good to find occassion to make Books the whole point of an expedition.

3. The children's section, perhaps because of (2), is much much tidier and more appealing (although I blame the parents for this, not the chain book stores...)

4. When you ask for A Seed is Sleepy they don't look at you like you are crazy.

5. Because independent book stores are smaller, one is less likely to loose one's children. One can also keep an eye on the children while looking at other sections.

Some Updates!
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I know, I know, this is LONG overdue! But I have been buried in deadlines
and a traveling fool besides.
Speaking of travel, I will be in Pueblo, Colorado F...

3 years ago

"Just write your heart out. I promise you that's what matters. I would much, much rather find a great, unusual, distinctive book by a phobic writer covered in oozing sores who lives in a closet than a decent but not amazingly original book by the world’s best promoter. I could sell the former a lot better, too." Elizabeth Law, Publisher, Egmont USA

1) Introversion is not a social disease

2) You will never "outgrow" it, nor should you want to. It's part of what makes you unique

3) We pinky swear you can and will promote your work with success

4) There are tricks to being in the spotlight, and we'll happily share the ones we know!

Quote

Hardly anybody ever writes anything nice about introverts. Extroverts rule. This is rather odd when you realise that about nineteen writers out of twenty are introverts. We are being taught to be ashamed of not being 'outgoing'. But a writer's job is ingoing.--Ursula K. LeGuin

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